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The most popular trail in the Wilderness, and for good reason...


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Map Key

6.3

Miles

10.2

KM

91%

Runnable

10,100' 3,078 m

High

8,350' 2,545 m

Low

1,759' 536 m

Up

9' 3 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Cascade Trail is the most popular trail in the Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW), especially on weekends and holidays.

Runner Notes

Most of this trail is runnable, however, the final portion can only be walked by mortals.

Description

The trail is fairly flat the first 1.5 miles before reaching the Arapaho Pass Trail-Cascade Trail junction. Many campsites are available along its entire length and fishing is good in all the creeks as well as Pawnee Lake.

Shelter Rock with its huge overhanging ledges, is an illegal place to camp as it is within 100 feet of the trail. Just up the trail from Shelter Rock is the Buchanan Pass-Cascade Trail junction with the Buchanan Pass taking off to the left. 4.5 miles along the trail is Cascade Falls. Horses are not allowed past Cascade Falls.

The last 2.5 miles of the trail is the hardest. There are approximately 27 switchbacks along this last portion and can be especially hard with a heavy pack, but the view on top is one of the best in the IPW.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 7 votes

#1

in Monarch Lake

#6951

Overall
  4.6 from 7 votes
5 Star
71%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Monarch Lake

#500

in Colorado

#6,951

Overall
3 Views Last Month
7,447 Since Apr 21, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Monarch Lake trailhead in the early morning
Aug 14, 2018 near Granby, CO
Hiking the Monarch Lake loop.
Jul 4, 2022 near Granby, CO
One of several waterfalls along the way
Jul 12, 2015 near Granby, CO
Early November on the Monarch Trail
Nov 16, 2019 near Granby, CO
Base of Cascade Falls
Aug 14, 2018 near Granby, CO
Along Monarch Lake
Jul 12, 2015 near Granby, CO

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